Coagulase-negative staphylococci - Pathogens have major role in nosocomialinfections

Coagulase-negative staphylococci are among the most commonly isolated bacte ria in clinical microbiology laboratories. Such coagulase-negative, novobio cin-susceptible staphylococci as Staphylococcus epidermidis have emerged as a major cause of infection, particularly in hospitalized patients with ind welling foreign bodies and in immunocompromised patients. In this article, Drs von Eiff, Proctor, and Peters discuss the role of these pathogens in ba cteremia, polymer-associated infection, endocarditis, and urinary tract inf ection (UTI).